The peace in Darjeeling hills appears to be heading for an abrupt end. On Wednesday, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) threatened to launch a final battle for statehood. Pramod Giri reports.

The peace in Darjeeling hills appears to be heading for an abrupt end. On Wednesday, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) threatened to launch a final battle for statehood.

On January 11, GJM leaders had met Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and made a fresh demand for statehood.

“The GJM has information that the Centre would take a positive decision on Telengana by January 29. The Centre should form Gorkhaland along with Telengana,” said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri.

The demand comes barely 18 months after the GJM signed the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Agreement with the Centre and the West Bengal government for greater autonomy in the three hill sub divisions of Darjeeling district.

The GJM offensive may prove a fresh headache for CM Mamata Banerjee, who has been claiming all is well in Darjeeling after the July 2011 accord.